Crisis, what crisis? The multimillion-dollar golf club that is turning members away
Scotland’s Royal Dornoch golf club is expanding yet still turning members away
Since the 17th century already, golfers have been enjoying playing at Dornoch, the northernmost “royal” golf club in the UK. Despite the difficult economic times, however, the club is continuing to expand. The national health service might be in trouble, but the course at Dornoch is undergoing a £14 million renovation. The club is also expanding its sister golf course at Struie
There are no lack of people wanting to join, prompting the management to close the waiting list. “At the last count we had members in 24 different countries,” according to general manager Neil Hampton speaking to Bunkered magazine. “We attract visiting golfers from around the world – many of them American – and more than 40,000 rounds are played on our two courses annually.”
Dornoch supporting young players
Yet the club maintains community activities. A section of its membership is reserved for people that live locally and the club’s commitment to introducing golf to local schoolchildren saw it awarded the Golf Foundation’s ‘UK Junior Club of the Year’ in 2024.
“More than half the local primary students – boys and girls – are participating in our junior section coaching sessions,” says Hampton.
To try the course yourself, book a round here.
(Michael Leahy - Source: Bunkered/ Photo : Pixabay)